A FATHER and son cycled some 3,000 miles across the American coast in aid of two local charities.

A FATHER and son cycled some 3,000 miles across the American coast in aid of two local charities.

Peter Shaw, 51 and his son, Russell, 26, of Quorn, signed up to the coast to coast cycle event 18 months ago as "an act of bravado."

But little did they realise they would be tested to the very limit cycling around 120 miles a day for 25 days in conditions reaching 100degs.

The Quorn pair cycled through nine states, including California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas stopping for rest on only two days of their journey.

But both have lived to tell the tale raising around £8,000 for Rainbows Children's Hospice and the Matt Hampson Trust Fund - the Leicester Tiger and England Under 21 player who was left paralysed.

Peter told the Echo: "It was a very drastic way to lose weight and it's quite brutal on the body. Let's put it this way - there were 30 riders, only 16 made it, five had to retire and one guy died of a heart attack, which was very sad.

"You had to push yourself every day but not too hard."

Peter says the experience is only just sinking in.

"It was like a military regime. You had to be up at 6.30am in the desert to ensure you didn't hit the heat."